empfangen

You will mostly use it with people or technology. For people, it usually takes a direct object. You can Gäste empfangen (receive guests) at a party. For technology, you talk about your Handy (mobile phone). If you are in a tunnel, you might say you can't empfangen anything. It is a strong, stable verb. It follows the irregular pattern: empfängt, empfing, hat empfangen.

Use it when you want to sound a bit more polished. It is perfect for formal invitations. It is also the standard word for radio and TV signals. If you are at a hotel, the 'Empfang' is the reception desk. Use it when the act of receiving is intentional. It works great in professional settings. It also fits when you are hosting a nice dinner at home.

Do not use empfangen for simple physical objects like a package. If the mailman brings a box, use bekommen or erhalten. Using empfangen for a pizza delivery sounds like you are hosting a royal ceremony for your pepperoni slice. Also, avoid it for catching a cold. That is sich einfangen, which sounds similar but is very different. Stay away from it in very slang-heavy conversations unless you are being ironic.

German hospitality can be quite formal. The act of receiving guests is a point of pride. In many German homes, there is a clear distinction between the 'Flur' (hallway) and the living area. You empfangen someone in the hallway before inviting them further in. Historically, it was used for receiving sacraments or high-ranking officials. Today, it is the word for your Wi-Fi bars. It bridges the gap between old-world manners and new-world tech.

The noun form is der Empfang. You will see this at every hotel and office building. Another variation is empfänglich. This means being 'receptive' to an idea or a suggestion. If someone is empfänglich für Lob, they really love being complimented. There is also das Empfangsbekenntnis, which is a very scary-looking word for a simple receipt confirmation in legal contexts.